In a move that has sparked major controversy across the NFL, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has officially submitted evidence to the league office, claiming that referee mistakes directly impacted the outcome of his team’s recent matchup against the Denver Broncos.
The game, played on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High, ended in a 28-3 victory for Denver. But according to Taylor, several questionable officiating decisions swung momentum in the Broncos’ favor and may have ultimately cost the Bengals the win.
During his Monday press conference, Taylor did not hold back. “We’re not here to make excuses, but we are here to stand for fairness,” he said. “We reviewed the film, and there were multiple calls—or non-calls—that we believe were handled incorrectly. We owe it to our players and fans to make sure the NFL sees what we’re seeing.”
Among the plays highlighted in the Bengals’ submission to the NFL are:
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A controversial pass interference call against cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the fourth quarter, which extended a Denver drive that ultimately resulted in a touchdown.
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A missed holding penalty on a Broncos offensive lineman during a key third-down conversion late in the game.
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An overturned touchdown by Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, which officials ruled incomplete after review despite what the Bengals believe was “clear possession.”
According to league sources, the Bengals compiled a detailed video package of the plays in question and sent it to the NFL officiating department on Monday morning.
The NFL typically reviews all officiating complaints submitted by teams, but rarely issues public statements unless a particularly egregious error is confirmed. Even then, the league has historically refrained from overturning results or replaying portions of games.
Still, the Bengals’ decision to go public with their frustration has put added pressure on the league. Fans on social media have already fueled the debate, with hashtags such as #RefsCostUs and #FixTheOfficiating trending shortly after Taylor’s remarks.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton, when asked about the Bengals’ complaints, chose to remain diplomatic. “That’s not for me to comment on,” Payton said. “We prepare hard every week, and the officials make their calls. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t. At the end of the day, we’re focused on winning football games.”
Veteran players across the NFL have also weighed in. Former Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall tweeted, “Refs make mistakes, but filing evidence like this is serious. If the league doesn’t respond, it looks bad.” Meanwhile, Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow voiced his support for Taylor, saying: “Coach is fighting for us. That’s what you want in a leader.”
For now, the NFL has not commented publicly on the Bengals’ submission, but insiders expect a formal response later this week. While it is highly unlikely that the league would change the outcome of the game, a private acknowledgment of officiating mistakes—or even disciplinary measures for referees involved—could follow.
Regardless of the league’s response, the Bengals’ move underscores growing frustration among players, coaches, and fans regarding the consistency of NFL officiating. With playoff races heating up, even a single missed call can have massive consequences.
For Zac Taylor and the Bengals, the fight is not just about one loss to Denver—it’s about making sure the next one isn’t decided by the men in stripes.
